	      Overview The Order of Saint Paul the Apostle

Apostolic Succession

THE ORDER OF SAINT PAUL THE APOSTLE (OLD CATHOLIC TRADITION) IN THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS A BRANCH OF THE CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC
CHURCH, AND ALONG WITH ITS FORMER CANONICAL NOMENCLATURES, WAS
ORIGINALLY INAUGURATED ON OCTOBER 25, 1986 AS ANAUTOCEPHALUS BODY, AFTER
THE DEATH OF OUR BISHOP THE ORDER WAS RE-ESTABLISHED ON OCTOBER 25,
1996.

ON JUNE 20, 1997 THE ORDER OF SAINT PAUL THE APOSTLE WAS OFFICALLY
GRANTED COVENANT AFFILIATION AND INTERCOMMUNION IN THE APOSTOILIC
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN AMERICA (ACCA) UNDER THE ESPOCIPAL SUPERVISION OF
BISHOP PAUL DAVID C. STRONG, OSJD, ALLOWING US TO CONTINUE IN THE
APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION TRADITION.

MISSION STATEMENT

THE ORDER OF ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE IS A RELIGIOUS ORDER. THE MISSION OF
THE ORDER IS TO CARRY THE TEACHINGS OF CHRIST AND HIS APOSTLES AND THE
ANCIENT CHURCH TO THOSE WHO SEEK A SPIRITUAL HOME OR MAY NOT HAVE COME
FROM A CATHOLIC OR ORTHODOX TRADITION. WE SEEK OUT, RATHER THAN EXCLUDE
THOSE THAT OTHER &QUOT;CHURCHES&QUOT; MAY NOT DESIRE WITH THE &QUOT;GOOD
NEWS&QUOT; OF JESUS CHRIST. LIKE CHRIST, WHO GAVE HIS LOVE TO THE TAX
COLLECTOR AND THE SAMARITAN WOMAN, WE WELCOME WITH OPEN HEARTS AND MINDS
ALL CHILDREN OF GOD TO OUR MINISTRIES AND ALTARS.

THE ORDER OF ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE IS AN INDEPENDENT AND SELF-GOVERNING
RELIGIOUS ORDER IN THE OLD CATHOLIC APOSTOLIC TRADITIONS; NEITHER ROMAN
CATHOLIC NOR PROTESTANT - BUT CATHOLIC (UNIVERSAL). IT AIMS AT COMBINING
THE TRADITIONAL SACRAMENTAL FORM OF WORSHIP - WITH IS STATELY RITUAL,
ITS DEEP MYSTICISM AND ITS ABIDING WITNESS TO THE REALITY OF SACRAMENTAL
GRACE - WITH THE WIDEST MEASURE OF INTELLECTUAL LIBERTY AND RESPECT FOR
THE INDIVIDUAL CONSCIENCE. IT THEREFORE PERMITS TO ITS MEMBERS FREEDOM
OF INTERPRETATION OF THE SCRIPTURES, THE CREEDS AND THE LITURGY.

REGARDING THE MIND AS ONE OF THE GREAT AVENUES TO SPIRITUAL
APPREHENSION, IT ENCOURAGES AMONG IT ADHERENTS THE FREEST PLAY OF
SCIENTIFIC AND PHILOSOPHIC THOUGH.

WE WELCOME TO OUR ALTARS ALL WHO REVERENTLY AND SINCERELY APPROACH THEM,
ERECTING NO BARRIERS IN NATURE OF STANDARDS OF DOGMATIC BELIEF. WE HAVE
NO WISH TO PROSELYTIZE, IN THE AGGRESSIVE SENSE, FROM AMONG THE
ADHERENTS OF ANY OTHER CHURCH AND AS AN EARNEST OF THIS WELCOMES PEOPLE
TO REGULAR AND FULL PARTICIPATION IN ITS SERVICES WITHOUT ASKING OR
EXPECTING THEM TO LEAVE THEIR ORIGINAL CHURCH. WE WELCOME THE
DIVORCED/REMARRIED. WE USE BOTH WESTERN AND EASTERN RITE LITURGIES. WE
ARE NOT GNOSTIC, THEOSOPHICAL OR NEW-AGE. WE ORDAIN THE MARRIED OR
UNMARRIED TO OUR CLERGY. WE VALIDLY CELEBRATE THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS.

WE ARE A RELIGIOUS ORDER COMMITTED TO BUILDING CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES AND
MINISTRIES WHICH PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL TO &QUOT;ALL PEOPLE&QUOT;
REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR PREFERENCE,
NATIONALITY, SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OR DISABILITY&QUOT;.

BELIEFS AND PRACTICES

WE WELCOME TO OUR ALTARS ALL WHO REVERENTLY AND SINCERELY APPROACH THEM,
ERECTING NO BARRIERS IN NATURE OF STANDARDS OF DOGMATIC BELIEF. WE HAVE
NO WISH TO PROSELYTIZE, IN THE AGGRESSIVE SENSE, FROM AMONG THE
ADHERENTS OF ANY OTHER CHURCH AND AS AN EARNEST OF THIS WELCOMES PEOPLE
TO REGULAR AND FULL PARTICIPATION IN ITS SERVICES WITHOUT ASKING OR
EXPECTING THEM TO LEAVE THEIR ORIGINAL CHURCH. WE WELCOME THE
DIVORCED/REMARRIED. WE USE BOTH WESTERN AND EASTERN RITE LITURGIES. WE
ARE NOT GNOSTIC, THEOSOPHICAL OR NEW-AGE. WE ORDAIN BOTH MARRIED OR
UNMARRIED TO OUR CLERGY. WE VALIDLY CELEBRATE THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS. WE
ARE COMMITTED TO BUILDING CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES AND MINISTRIES WHICH
PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL TO &QUOT;ALL PEOPLE&QUOT; REGARDLESS OF RACE,
COLOR, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR PREFERENCE, NATIONALITY,
SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OR DISABILITY&QUOT;. WE MAINTAIN THE ANCIENT
THREE-FOLD MINISTRY OF BISHOP, PRESBYTER (PRIEST) AND DEACON. WE
ACKNOWLEDGE THOSE DECISIONS OF THE FIRST SEVEN ECUMENICAL COUNCILS WHICH
DO NOT CONTRADICT SCRIPTURE OR TRADITION. WE PROFESS THE APOSTLES' AND
NICENE CREEDS AS STATEMENTS OF OUR FAITH. WE ARE CURRENTLY SMALL IN
NUMBERS, BUT GROWING.

THE COUNCILS

WE ACCEPT AS OECUMENICAL THE SEVEN GENERAL COUNCILS RECOGNIZED BY ALL
THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES, NAMELY:  
FIRST AT NICEA, A.D. 353, AGAINST
ARIANISM. 
SECOND AT CONSTANTINOPLE, 381, AGAINST APOLINARIANS AND
MACEDONIANS.
THIRD AT EPHESUS, 431, AGAINST NESTORIANISM.
FOURTH AT CHALCEDON, 451, AGAINST MONOPHYSITES.
FIFTH AT CONSTANTINOPLE, 553, AGAINST NESTORIANISN AND MONOPHYSITES.
SIXTH AT CONSTANTINOPLE, 680, AGAINST MONOTHELITES.
SEVENTH AT NICEA, 787, AGAINST ICONCLASTS.

THE CHURCH

THE VISIBLE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS A SOCIETY IN WHICH ALL THE FAITHFUL ARE
JOINED TOGETHER BY THE PROFESSION OF THE SAME FAITH, AND FORMING A BODY
OF WHICH JESUS CHRIST IS THE HEAD AND SOURCE OF ALL SANCTITY.

MINISTRIES

INACTIVE OR EX-PRIESTS MINISTRY:

COUNSELING IS PROVIDED TO EX-PRIEST TO COPE WITH THE DECISION TO LEAVE
THE PRIESTHOOD AND TO FUNCTION IN MODERN SOCIETY. FELLOWSHIP FOR EX-
PRIEST PROVIDE A COMFORT ATMOSPHERE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THE NECESSARY
ADJUSTMENT, RETREATS ARE PROVIDED WITH GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS.

RETREAT CENTER:

THE ORDER WILL MAINTAIN A RETREAT CENTER FOR BOTH ACTIVE AND INACTIVE
PRIEST TO OBTAIN A SPIRITUAL REAWAKENING OR JUST TO BE ABLE TO RECHARGE
THEIR BATTERIES SO TO SPEAK IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF SPIRITUAL CALM AND
ENRICHMENT. THE RETREAT CENTER WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE TO THE LAITY FOR
THEIR SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT. THE RETREAT CENTER WILL BEAVAILABLE TO THE
GENERAL PUBLIC FOR THEIR USE. PLEASE MAKE RESERVATIONS AT LEAST TWO (2)
MONTHS PRIOR TO YOUR SCHEDULED EVENT.

CHRISTIAN BULLETIN BOARD MINISTRY:(ONE CAN OBTAIN GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING.)

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES CAN OBTAIN INFORMATION AND RESOURCES.

VETERANS CAN OBTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING VETERANS BENEFITS, CONTACT
INFORMATION AND RESOURCES.
ON-LINE BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE TO USERS AND HOTLINE NUMBERS ARE AVAILABLE.

BLIND ACCESSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE PROGRAMS THAT WILL SPEAK WHAT
IS WRITTEN ON THE SCREEN.
THE BBS IS NON-DENOMINATIONAL ORIENTED SO THERE IS SOMETHING FOR
EVERYONE.

COUNSELING SERVICES AND MATERIALS:

DISABLED COUNSELING--WORKING WITH DISABLED TO FIND THE NECESSARY
RESOURCES FOR THERE PARTICULAR SITUATIONS.
VETERANS COUNSELING--WORK WITH VETERANS IN NEED A VA BENEFITS
AND OTHER INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE.
MARRIAGE COUNSELING--COUNSELING FOR COUPLES AND FOR THOSE IN
A TROUBLED MARRIAGES.

DIVORCE COUNSELING--COPING WITH THE REALITIES OF DIVORCE.
FAMILY COUNSELING--COUNSELING AND INFORMATION RESOURCES.
HOMELESS MINISTRY--COPING WITH HOMELESS COUNSELING SESSIONS,
PROVIDING RESOURCES.
MINISTRY TO THE SICK--COMFORT IS PROVIDED TO THE TERMINALLY ILL
AND THEIR FAMILIES. COUNSELING SESSIONS ARE PROVIDED FOR GROWTH
AND REASSURANCE.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH MINISTRY--SPIRITUAL GROWTH CLASSES THAT CONSIST
OF FELLOWSHIP, COUNSELING AND BIBLE STUDIES.

OSPA TEEN CAMP MINISTRY:

TROUBLED YOUTH CENTER--CAMP ENVIRONMENT FOR TROUBLED YOUTH.
TEEN CENTER--CAMP ENVIRONMENT FOR TEENS TO OBTAIN A SPIRITUAL
GROWTH IN THEIR WALK WITH GOD.
HANDICAP CENTER--CAMP ENVIRONMENT FOR THOSE WITH HANDICAPS, BOTH
PHYSICAL AND/OR EMOTIONAL.

ABUSE AND CRISIS MINISTRY:

ABUSE AND CRISIS CENTER--CRISIS AND ABUSE VICTIMS HOT LINES.

STREET MINISTRY. OSPA IS PRESENTLY INQUIRING INTO THE FRANCISCAN
PEACEMAKERS PROGRAM LOCATED AT PRESENT IN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
ABOUT STARTING THIER PROGRAM HERE IN NEBRASKA.

LECTURES/SEMINARS:

VARIOUS SEMINARS FOR DAY TO DAY LIVING AND DEALING WITH LIVES PROBLEMS,
AND WILL INCLUDE FOLLOW-UP SESSIONS WITH COUNSELORS IF NECESSARY.

ABOUT OUR MASS

OUR PRIMARY LITURGY IS THE CHRISTIAN CATHOLIC MASS (GUL-MATHEW MASS).
WE ALLOW SOME COMMUNITIES TO BASICALLY USE TWO PRIMARY WESTERN CONTEMPORARY
SOURCES: THE ROMAN CATHOLIC 1974 MASS OF PAUL VI AND THE EPISCOPAL

1928 BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, WITH CERTAIN ADDITIONS FROM THE EAST:
THE ANCIENT DIVINE LITURGY OF SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, AND THE LITURGY
OF SAINT TIKHON. ALL BAPTISED CHRISTIANS ARE WELCOME TO RECEIVE THE
BODY AND BLOOD OF OUR LORD AT OUR ALTARS.

ABOUT OUR MEMBERS

OUR COMMUNITY CONSISTS OF PRIESTS, BROTHERS, AND SISTERS (THE TERM
NUNS IS NOT IN USE VERY MUCH ANYMORE). MOST OF THE MEMBERS LIVE IN
COMMUNITY. WE LIVE IN A MONASTIC TYPE SETTING (VOW OF COMMON LIFE),
WITH A MAIN HOUSE FOR THE PRIESTS AND BROTHERS AND A CONVENT FOR
THE SISTER IN COMMUNITY KNOWN AS THE ([*]COMPANION SISTERS OF SAINT
PAUL) BUT WE ARE AN ACTIVE RELIGIOUS ORDER WHERE SOME OF OUR MEMBERS
HOLD DOWN JOBS IN SOME FORM OF MINISTRY TO SUPPORT THE ORDER.

SOME OF OUR MEMBERS POSSESS FORMAL SEMINARY EDUCATION AND/OR OTHER
ADVANCED DEGREES OF LEARNING FROM NATIONALLY ACCREDITED INSTITUTIONS.
OTHERS &QUOT;READ FOR ORDERS&QUOT; IN A MENTORED PROGRAM OF STUDY
(MUCH LIKE CANON 9 CLERGY IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH).

MANY OF OUR MEMBERS HAVE THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AS THEIR CHURCH
OF ORIGIN; AS OF THIS WRITING. SEVERAL OF OUR MEMBERS (CLERGY AND
LAITY) HAVE SERVED IN THAT CHURCH.

SOME OF OUR MEMBERS (CLERGY AND LAITY) ARE EITHER MARRIED OR IN COMMITTED
RELATIONSHIPS, AND SOME ARE SINGLE/CELIBATE.

OUR ORDER EXTENDS A SPECIAL WELCOME TO INACTIVE ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIESTS
WHO WISH TO RE-ACTIVATE THEIR PRIESTLY MINISTRIES.

To learn more about us, contact:

    Fr. Dennis Mckay, OSPA
    ph: 402/552-0734
    Internet: ospadmin @ rocketmail.com
    Web Site: http://www.mitec.net/~dmckay/index.htm

